GENERAL SANTOS CITY (September 30, 2017) – Sarangani Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon (right) expresses his full support to the Proposed Indigenous Peoples Welfare and Development Code during a workshop on September 29. The Sarangani IP Code is now on its 14th series workshop since it started last March 9. The IP Code, sponsored by Provincial IP Representative Fulung Fredo Basino and the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, is first in the Philippines. (Ener T. Toguin for SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

RAPTOR HILL, Glan, Sarangani (September 30, 2017) – The peak season is here as this portion of some 54,000 Chinese sparrowhawks are seen on September 29. Just two weeks into the watch, the Sarangani Team has recorded 86,000 raptors, a record-breaking count compared to last year’s 78,817 over five weeks of a “confirmatory raptor migration study.” (Tres Besana/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)

RAPTOR HILL, Glan, Sarangani (September 30, 2017) - It was worth the travel on the long and winding road that leads to Raptor Hill in Barangay Rio del Pilar when on September 29 some 54,000 raptors were recorded in the routine day-long watch of a team from the Environmental Conservation and Protection Center (ECPC), Sarangani Information Office and village volunteers doing this year’s migratory raptor study.

“It appears that the peak season is here. Today, our team at the Raptor Hill counted around 54,000 Chinese Sparrowhawks,” said Atty. Emma Nebran, former executive director of ECPC. "Like clock, the raptors are back."

ALABEL, Sarangani (September 30, 2017) – The Rural Impact Sourcing (RIS) Technical Training Project has gathered 25 people in Sarangani province to be scholars who are willing to broaden and develop their skills for employment opportunities.

The scholars are composed of out-of-school youth, college students, and employed people.

Before they proceeded to the training proper, the participants first took the course requirements of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DITC) such as online seat works, quizzes, practical test, and creative projects to make sure they are capable of taking the RIS course.

GENERAL SANTOS CITY (September 26, 2017) - The 1st Budayaw Festival celebrates harmony in diversity with the theme “Taking Pride in the creative diversity of the BIMP-EAGA region.”

The name Budayaw is derived from the Malay word budaya meaning culture and the Filipino word dayaw, meaning celebration.

The event also commemorates the 50th founding anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) is a sub-regional economic cooperation designed to spur economic development in the lagging sub-economies of member countries.

MAITUM, Sarangani (September 25, 2017) – On stage are performers from Brunei Darussalam during the community outreach of the 1st Budayaw Festival of Cultures 2017 by the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA)on September 22 with main performance venues in General Santos City. (John James I. Doctor/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

KIAMBA, Sarangani (September 25, 2017) - The nearly-completed Kiamba Fish Port is all set for operation as the LGU leadership along with key departments concerned in the fish port operation convene on September 21 at the Kiamba Municipal Council Hall. Among the topics discussed were the overall regulations attributed to the operation of a fish port and other pertinent topics. Darby Macabata, Ramon Francisco and Francisco Escandor Jr. from the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority were present to speak on the pertinent topics. (AR Camposano-JP Belmonte/KIAMBA INFORMATION OFFICE)

MAITUM, Sarangani (September 25, 2017) - Malalag National High School students gather to receive visitors for the 1st Budayaw Festival of Cultures community outreach on September 22. Budayaw Festival is a celebration of cultures and arts of the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia that features traditional dances, visual arts and crafts exhibit, indigenous music and drama. (John James I. Doctor/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

MAITUM, Sarangani (September 25, 2017) - The National Commission on Culture and the Arts Rondalla performs during the 1st Budayaw Festival community outreach on September 22. The artists who are based in Manila are professionals, teachers and trainors of NCCA. (John James I. Doctor/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)

MAITUM, Sarangani (September 25, 2017) - Women from the barangays line up to avail of a free birth control implant also known as Implanon from AP Margin, an non-government organization from General Santos City, together with health services providers from the Rural Health Unit on September 20. The birth control implant is a tiny, thin rod about the size of a matchstick. A doctor inserts the implant under the skin of the upper arm. It releases the hormone progestin to prevent pregnancy. (John James I. Doctor/MAITUM INFORMATION OFFICE)